Want to join an axe-throwing league? There's a rec league in Ottawa County

GRAND HAVEN — The COVID-19 pandemic — with its long months of quarantining and gathering restrictions — had people getting creative, starting new hobbies and finding fun ways to get together safely. That’s exactly what sparked the inspiration for Jackie Rowland to get started with axe throwing.

Rowland explained that when her husband turned 40 in November 2020, things were still shut down. With their large family and many friends, Rowland wanted to find a way for everyone to get together and celebrate.

“I was looking around for something that would be totally unique and fun, but also COVID-friendly,” she said.

This is when she came across Muskegon Axe Throwing, a business that had just opened up and was offering booking for parties. She booked them for her husband’s birthday and said everyone loved it and had a blast.

Rowland also works for the North Ottawa Recreation Authority, or NORA. She said that because of her work, she immediately recognized the opportunity to start a recreational axe-throwing league. Rowland spoke with the owners of Muskegon Axe Throwing and they started the recreational axe throwing league in Grand Haven last summer.

Ashley Masse, one of the co-owners of Muskegon Axe Throwing, said the launching of their business, like Rowland’s interest in axe throwing, was put into motion because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Masse and co-owner Mike Lewis initially began axe-throwing as a hobby to blow off steam.

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“We found ourselves getting together at Mike’s house and throwing axes in the backyard for fun and leisure,” Masse said. “It seemed like our love for it even at that time was so true and genuine that we not only wanted to spread that but incorporate it with everybody.”

Masse was a chef until the pandemic hit and the restaurant industry was shut down. He said that even with the pandemic unemployment and relief funds, he was still coming up short. He said the axe throwing business became a way to supplement some of that missing income, and then he found himself really enjoying it and wanting to continue to grow and expand the business.

While they still do parties, the business also has leagues in both Muskegon and Grand Haven. Masse said he enjoys coming out for the Grand Haven league every week and that the group has become like a family.

“Honestly, this has all been a great adventure,” Masse said. “Nobody here wants to be ultra-competitive and not enjoy their time here.”

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When the NORA adult axe-throwing league met last Tuesday, as they do every week at the North Ottawa Rod and Gun Club, it was clear that what Masse said was true. The group all cheered for each other as everyone did well, or if the axe would drop to the ground they would encourage each other and give tips for what they could do to improve.

Rowland explained that axe throwing isn’t a very competitive sport since it’s not played in teams. Everyone plays as an individual just trying to gather as many points as they can until the final week of their season when they play a tournament with elimination.

Rowland said anyone wanting to look into axe throwing could contact NORA or Muskegon Axe Throwing.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Axe-throwing recreation league created in Ottawa County